Learn about grants to nonprofits in New Jersey by browsing our curated list of top funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities in New Jersey using the search tool for Grant Finder. Become a member.
Giving Trends in New Jersey
Given New Jersey’s proximity to New York, as well as the fact that many New Jersey residents may work in New York, some overlap exists in philanthropy between the two states with some foundations making grants for both New Jersey and New York. That said, there are grantmakers of all sizes based in and focused on New Jersey. More than 6,700 grantmakers – from within New Jersey and outside the state – collectively gave $1.7 billion in grants for New Jersey in 2019 alone.
According to the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, which brings together funders from across the state, there has not been a statewide report on charitable giving in New Jersey published since 2005. To get a sense of funding trends in New Jersey today, IP looked at the areas of focus of New Jersey grants coming from the statewide Community Foundation of New Jersey as well as several leading private and family foundations. Priority grantmaking areas made by CFNJ in 2021 included health and support for vulnerable children, adults, and families. On the other hand, some of the state’s top private, family, and corporate foundations tend to prioritize funding for health, education, and human services in New Jersey.
Funders of grants for New Jersey consist of a mix of private, family, corporate, and community foundations. Leading institutions making New Jersey grants include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Community Foundation of New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Contribution Fund, Prudential Foundation, David Tepper Charitable Foundation, Verizon Foundation, Hess Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Metrowest NJ, Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation, Merck Company Foundation, Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation, Russell Berrie Foundation, Princeton Area Community Foundation, Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, Campbell Soup Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and Fund for New Jersey.
Foundations in New Jersey
RUSSELL BERRIE FOUNDATION
The Russell Berrie Foundation was created to express the values and passions of Russell Berrie through social investments in innovative ideas.
BRUECKNER FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Brueckner Family Charitable Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to arts and culture, education, health, and the environment.
BURKE FOUNDATION
The Burke Foundation aims to improve the health and well-being of underserved children. The foundation invests in the most promising programs narrowing developmental, achievement, and health gaps in New Jersey.
LYDIA COLLINS DEFOREST CHARITABLE TRUST
The Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust supports human services, religion, and Episcopal Church in New Jersey.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NEW JERSEY
This funder supports a wide range of nonprofits throughout the state of New Jersey. Topics of interest include children and youth, seniors, health, education, and arts and culture.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH JERSEY
This community foundation supports eight counties in southern New Jersey. Funding areas include community, health, social services, and youth education and enrichment.
CORNPAUW FOUNDATION
The Cornpauw Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to higher education, the arts, health, and human services.
FUND FOR NEW JERSEY
The Fund for New Jersey supports public policy, advocacy, analysis, and organizing efforts that affect the people of New Jersey.
FRANK J. GUARINI FOUNDATION
The Frank J. Guarini Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, and Italian causes.
HIRAIR AND ANNA HOVNANIAN FOUNDATION
The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation supports healthcare, education and real estate development training in New Jersey.
KURR FOUNDATION
The Kurr Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to community development, education, youth, religious, medical research and health.
EDWARD E. & MARIE L. MATTHEWS FOUNDATION
The Edward E. & Marie L. Matthews Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to health, human services, education, youth, and community causes.
MILLER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Miller Family Foundation supports health, medical research, Jewish causes, and women and children’s children in New Jersey and the Greater Tri-State Area.
OCEANFIRST FOUNDATION
A legacy funder, OceanFirst supports central and southern New Jersey through health and wellness, housing, improving quality of life, youth development and education.
PRINCETON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Princeton Area Community Foundation supports Central New Jersey in the areas of children and adolescents in poverty, women and girls, education, environment, and community.
LLOYD AND ELLEND SOKOLOFF FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Lloyd and Ellen Sokoloff Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to Jewish causes in New Jersey.
SUMMIT AREA PUBLIC FOUNDATION
The Summit Area Public Foundation supports Summit, New Jersey and the surrounding communities in the areas of civic and community, health, education, special needs, elderly, and arts and culture.
VICTORIA FOUNDATION
The Victoria Foundation supports children and families in Newark, New Jersey and the environment throughout the state of New Jersey.
VANCE WALL FOUNDATION
The Vance Wall Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to arts, culture, health, and human services.
